Family Insights Episodes

Angela Kenneke’s life changed forever when her daughter Emily died from fentanyl poisoning at just 21 years old. In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Angela shares how her family’s experience with substance use disorder evolved from early warning signs in high school to the devastating moment they were preparing an intervention—only three days too late. Her story is not only one of loss, but of purpose, resilience, and a mission to prevent other families from facing the same tragedy. ...

This episode of The Addiction Podcast — Point of No Return features Minnesota‑based creator and impact storyteller Josh Liljenquist, known online as Joshlilj, whose “Live to Love” mission turns online attention into real‑world help. With more than 34 million followers, 2.7 billion YouTube views, and over $1.9 million in documented public support, Josh has built a community that steps in when people face homelessness, addiction, medical emergencies, housing instability, or sudden hardship. Josh ...

Heather Bacchus is a Minnesota mother, author, and advocate whose life changed forever when her son Randy died by suicide at 21 after cannabis‑induced psychosis. Randy began using marijuana at 15, believing it was safe and creative. By 17 he was diagnosed with cannabis use disorder, and despite therapy and treatment, his condition worsened. At 21, he experienced psychosis and paranoia, leaving behind journal entries and videos documenting his decline. Heather and her husband Randy founded Be ...

Kim Porter opens up about the emotional toll addiction takes on families, the warning signs parents often miss, and the conversations that can save a loved one’s life. A compassionate, powerful look at family recovery. Kim Porter, CFRS, is the Co‑Founder and Executive Director of Be a Part of the Conversation, a Pennsylvania‑based nonprofit she launched in 2011 to help families and communities better understand substance use, addiction, and behavioral health. What began as a small initiative ...

Whitney Yeager shares the tragic story of her son's marijuana-induced psychosis and the impact it had on his life. She emphasizes the dangers of high-potency marijuana and the need for education and awareness. Whitney also discusses the importance of recognizing the signs of marijuana use and seeking help. Takeaways High-potency marijuana poses significant risks to the developing brain, leading to addiction and psychosis. Parents and educators should educate themselves on the signs of ...

The conversation with Dr. Drum covers the adverse effects of marijuana use, the classification of controlled substances, the impact of marijuana legalization on banking, and the association between marijuana use and mass murders. Dr. Drum emphasizes the lack of medical evidence for marijuana and the need for testing for THC in law enforcement and coroner reports. Takeaways Adverse effects of marijuana use Impact of marijuana legalization on banking Association between marijuana u...

In this episode of The Addiction Podcast — Point of No Return, Jeff Jones explains how growing up in a family shaped by addiction led him to rethink how recovery truly works. He describes the unsafe dynamic between his mother and alcoholic grandfather — “it wasn’t safe for me to love him in my mother’s presence” — and how those early mixed messages inspired his lifelong curiosity about how families become part of the solution. After becoming a therapist, Jeff saw the same harmful patterns rep...

Nicole Byers has faced immense personal loss due to the opioid crisis. Her son, brother, father, and half-sister were all victims of fentanyl and pharmaceuticals. She is an active advocate for change and shares her story with organizations like Shatterproof and in Facebook groups for families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl. She now works with national nonprofit organizations Shatterproof, We are Appalled and Voices of Fentanyl. Nicole Byers has faced significant personal loss due to fen...

For 30 years, Laura Stack was best known in the business world as “The Productivity Pro.” Her career as a keynote speaker, bestselling author of eight books, and corporate spokesperson came to a screeching halt on November 20, 2019, when her 19-year-old son, Johnny, died by suicide after becoming psychotic from dabbing high-THC marijuana concentrates. Laura responded by forming the nonprofit, Johnny’s Ambassadors, to educate parents, teens, and communities about the dangers of today’s high...

One heart can change a moment, but many hearts can change the world. Meet Kim Bellas, the powerhouse behind the global movements Sober is the New Cool® and the White Heart Initiative®. From launching an International Recovery Walk that spans 38 countries to hosting the iconic White Party in NYC, Kim is on a mission to prove that wellness belongs to everyone. With 125+ global podcast appearances and a deeply personal story of family healing—including her son Matthew’s 8-year recovery—Kim is a ...

Leah Shepherd, the powerhouse Executive Director of Victoria’s Voice Foundation, is joining us. Her organization is on the front lines, dedicated to saving lives through drug-prevention education and overdose awareness. Under Leah’s leadership, Victoria's Voice has positively impacted over ONE MILLION students, families, and community members nationwide. She spearheaded National Naloxone Awareness Day and is relentless in her fight for expanded access to this life-saving overdose reversal medic...

This isn't just a recovery story—it's a fight for survival and family. Meet Daniel Hearn and Donna Gilchrist. Their path through addiction ripped their family apart: a tradesman losing everything, a son taken into care, a violent gangster, and Daniel held hostage with an axe to his throat. Meanwhile, Donna hit the streets, surviving violence and addiction. Today? They're not just recovered; they're reunited and raising a family, showing the world that the storm can pass. Daniel now runs Hard K...

When Alexis Pleus, a civil engineer and dedicated educator, lost her son Jeff to a heroin overdose, she discovered that everything she'd been taught about addiction was wrong. This devastating truth ignited a new mission. In this powerful episode, Alexis, founder of Truth Pharm, shares her journey from grief to advocacy. She reveals the false dogma that failed her family and now drives her to spare others from the same discrimination and misinformation. You'll hear her inspiring story of c...

For years, Sarah Hornbuckle lived through the hidden struggles of addiction and domestic violence. Then, in 2016, she found her way into recovery and never looked back. Now, as a certified Peer Support Specialist and a leader at the Hornbuckle Foundation, she's dedicated to lighting a fire for recovery in others. The Hornbuckle Foundation has awarded over 580 sober living scholarships, helping people find stability and hope. In this powerful interview, Sarah shares her personal journey—from a ...

Ed Bisch is an activist who founded Relatives Against Purdue Pharma (RAPP) after his son, Eddie, died from an OxyContin overdose in 2001. After Eddie's death, Ed started a website to warn others about the dangers of OxyContin and began connecting with other parents who had lost children to the drug. This led to the formation of RAPP, a group that has been actively protesting and seeking to hold Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family accountable for their role in the opioid crisis. Key details abo...

Denise Barnes was living a full and faith-filled life in sunny San Diego—a devoted mother of three, a wife, a surfer, and a woman grounded in love and purpose. But everything changed the day her youngest son unknowingly took a single pill laced with fentanyl. Narcan was administered… but 911 was never called. That one missed step cost him his life. Now, Denise is on a powerful mission to make sure no other family makes the same tragic mistake. With raw honesty and a mother’s fierce love, Denis...

Bob Kinney is a recovered alcoholic after an 18-year battle of severe alcoholism. He is a father of six children and has 12 grandchildren. He is a veteran with a heart for homeless veterans. He is a Christian, retired carpenter, and devoted father and...

Jackie Siegel is best known for her role in the award-winning documentary feature, Queen of Versailles (Magnolia Pictures), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012. A little back story: Jackie earned the "Queen" moniker when a decade...

Denise Barnes is a devoted mother of three, married to a wonderful Christian husband, and a proud native of San Diego, California. Her family, deeply rooted in their love for surfing and faith, faced an unimaginable tragedy this year when her youngest...

Lance Dyer is a former Army Ranger whose son fell victim to synthetic cannabinoids and today leads the fight to stop its legal distribution. Forming an alliance with Drug-Free World, his work contributed to banning the sale of the drug in the US. HELP...

Marcel Gemme is a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS) and a member of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals who concentrates on helping families find help for their loved ones. He is the founder and CEO of DRS, which includes...

Lunden Roberts is a mother, author, and financial officer from Batesville, AR. Her all-star basketball career culminated at Arkansas State University, where she was a McDonalds All-American Nominee shooting guard and studied criminal justice and...

Jim Willfred is a man with extensive life experiences that have fueled his insatiable passion to help those afflicted with substance use disorders and to support other parents in avoiding the pain of losing a child as he has. Jim struggled with...